The U16 North Island field lacrosse team, sponsored by Saratoga Ventures, enjoyed another close double header against Nanaimo over the weekend.
The boys got out to a glacial start and found themselves down 9-0 early in the third quarter.
Big sticks, Roy Uzzel, Sam Kussauer and Joe Gonsky decided enough was enough and forwards Taylor Arbor, Ryan Smith and Adam Mason began threatening on the attack.
Tanner Jones started the comeback on a goal assisted by Jordan Balon, then assisted Alec Molander’s goal to end the third quarter 9-2.
It was all North Island in the fourth quarter with goals by Graham Evans (2), Molander (3), and Brady Garrett to bring the Rage within one goal.
Middies Griffin Whyley, Anthony Vigneron and Lucas Marriot Spencer moved the ball well in a furious last two minutes that saw Sal Burchill make a superb save in goal and the clock run down before the boys could tie the game.
It is an unusual game when one team scores nine unanswered goals, then the opposition scores eight unanswered goals and the second game of the double header was a more traditional lacrosse battle.
Jory Clermont and Kyle Maximick scored to send the team into the second quarter leading 2-1.
Nanaimo tied it, then Clermont won the face-off and charged right in to score his second of the game.
Nathan Hoff’s explosive sprints up the field and Molander’s precision passing and three-assist performance kept Nanaimo on their heels.
Evans scored, then assisted Garrett on a goal and the Rage were leading 5-4.
On a beautiful passing play the ball flew from Garrett to Evans to Jones to the back of the net. Clermont completed his hattrick and Garrett potted his second for an 8-6 victory.
The team participated in the Richmond Romp over the Remembrance Day weekend and were pleased with their third place finish.